Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Free beach shuttle
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Good food
Cons:
Slow restaurant service
Maintenance issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.25
Some reviews noted issues with cleanliness, specifically regarding odors.
Service
9.75
The staff was described as friendly and accommodating, enhancing the guest experience.
Location
9.25
Guests praised the location near Memba Island and beach accessibility.
Room Quality
8.75
Rooms were generally described as clean and cozy, though some feedback on complexity of location was noted.
Amenities
8.75
The facilities, including pools and access to beach activities, were received positively.
Value for Money
8.75
Guests found good value considering the quality of service and experience.
Food and Beverage
9.25
Food quality was highly complimented, specifically the breakfast and restaurant services.
Overall Experience
9.25
Overall, guests reported a wonderful and memorable stay, highly recommending the hotel.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-08 18:35

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation
Indulge in a stay at Sunshine Bay Hotel Zanzibar with rooms offering stunning views of gardens or the Indian Ocean. Each bungalow includes modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, fans, and a safety deposit box, ensuring a comfortable retreat.

Relaxation and Leisure
Unwind by one of the three swimming pools or take a stroll along the private beach. For adventure seekers, complimentary bicycles are available for exploring the area, while Dive Point Zanzibar offers exciting water activities like scuba diving and snorkeling.

Culinary Delights
Savor a mix of local and international cuisine at the ocean-view restaurant, followed by refreshing drinks at the Boat Bar. With various lounge areas and free Wi-Fi, Sunshine Bay Hotel Zanzibar promises a memorable dining experience.

Book your stay at Sunshine Bay Hotel Zanzibar for an unforgettable beachfront getaway.

Important information:

Please note that all plastic carrier bags are prohibited from being exported, imported or used in Tanzania mainland with the exception of Ziploc bags. Kindly avoid carrying them in suitcases or hand luggage when traveling to Tanzania.

Please note that a compulsory supplement applies for stays during Christmas(24th Dec) and New Year(31 Dec). The supplement varies according to your meal plan:

Bed & Breakfast (B&B)
• USD 80 per adult
• Children: 50% of the adult rate

Half Board (HB) / Full Board (FB)
• USD 50 per adult
• Children: 50% of the adult rate

These festive supplements will be automatically added to your booking during the holiday period and is subject to settle either prior to the arrival or during check in at the hotel.

Kindly be advised that on-the-spot (walk-in) bookings for the Gala Dinner are priced at USD 100 per adult and USD 70 per child for both the Christmas and New Year Gala supplementsPlease inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children from 4 years old to 12 years old stay for US$61 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 130 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.25
Service: 9.75
Location: 9.25
Room Quality: 8.75
Amenities: 8.75
Value for Money: 8.75
Food and Beverage: 9.25
Overall Experience: 9.25
J
Julia • couple • za
10
This place is such great value for money, so much so that I was so worried before we got there that it didn’t actually e
Pros:

The location is amazing and to have your own little private beach is 10/10!

2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
G
Garth • couple • za
10
Pros:

Simply amazing !!!! Best location. Best rooms. Happy friendly staff. Amazing breakfast and beach. A true gem

2026-04-24 • via Nuitee
R
rosetta • couple • it
8
struttura bellissima
Pros:

Abbiamo soggiornato al Sunshine Bay Zanzibar e nel complesso è stata un’esperienza molto piacevole. La struttura è davvero bellissima, curata nei dettagli, con un’atmosfera rilassante e un contesto naturale stupendo. Tutto lo staff è stato estremamente gentile, disponibile e attento alle nostre esigenze: un servizio davvero impeccabile.

Un ringraziamento speciale ad Agness Julius alla reception, che è stata davvero eccezionale: sempre sorridente, professionale e pronta ad aiutarci in ogni momento. Ha reso il nostro soggiorno ancora più piacevole.

Tuttavia, abbiamo scelto questo hotel proprio perché indicato come adults only (16+), e durante il soggiorno erano presenti bambini sotto questa età. Abbiamo segnalato la situazione e il direttore si è dimostrato molto disponibile, offrendoci anche una cena per scusarsi, gesto che abbiamo apprezzato molto.

Nonostante questo, il giorno successivo sono arrivati altri ospiti con bambini, e questo ci ha lasciati un po’ perplessi, perché la policy “adults only” non è sembrata applicata in modo coerente. È un peccato, perché incide su quell’atmosfera di tranquillità che avevamo cercato nella scelta della struttura.

In sintesi: posto magnifico e personale eccellente, ma consiglierei maggiore chiarezza e coerenza nella gestione della policy adults only.

Cons:

la gestione della policy adults only

2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
F
fuyan • extended_group • cn
8
环境优美适宜度假
Pros:

水果新鲜，早餐营养丰富

2026-04-01 • via Nuitee
E
Emily • family_with_children • gb
9
Pros:

Wonderful breakfast with fruit and a choice of options
The beach is very atmospheric and quieter than its sister hotel.
Great pool area

Cons:

Be prepared for the mosquitos in the evening if you eat on the terrace

2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
C
Christophe • couple • be
9
2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
H
Hashir • couple • in
6
2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
R
Remco • solo_traveller • nl
8
Mooi hotel, als je niet van drukte houdt en niet te lux, eigen duikshop! vriendelijk personeel!
Pros:

Mooi locaties, het hotel heef 2 zuster hotels waartussen je kunt kiezen en alle services kunt gebruiken, elke dag rijd er een shuttle tussen de hotels. mooi voor de afwisseling.

Cons:

ontbijt is ok, maar kan iets meer afwisselingen op het buffet, aandacht van het personeel in het restaurant en zorgen dat er altijd voorraad is, helpt ook om meer te verkopen.

2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
A
Arnošt • solo_traveller • cz
4
Nice experience, but will not be back for sure
Pros:

Garden is very nice. Provided room was clean and spacy; with enought plugs and even with small place to work (the table and chair). Bathroom was nice and working properly. Balcony is great to spent some time on air and alone.
The pool area is bit far from sea, but nice and cozy.
The property have two other Sunshine hotels; you can travel to those. Marina is very secluded even more than Bay, but very nice obviously quite new. Azure is nice, more in "town" and you can easily walk around to check other places, restaurant and meet more people.
Staff was very nice; just time to time completely clueless.

Cons:

You can spent hours by the pool and no one will even come to ask if you want to drink or eat = in general if you not go and ask you will not be served.
Wifi was at start (when nearly no one was in property) quite ok, later on was so slow you will not be able to download even email. For sure not a place if you would like to work from abroad.

Restaurant - overpriced with crapy quality probably based on if you fit into the cooks experience; pizza was horrible; pasta was once ok once it looked like "what was remaining in kitchen". In general food was very poor quality;

Breakfast was horrible from soggy toasts bread which was very stale; to beef salami which i just tasted and nearly vomit (i think that salami was there for weeks). and last day when was raining = no breakfast as all staff just looked on storm, no services. The offer is always the same every day.

Room equipment:
safe is so small it holds only vallet (forget to pit there notebook, even small ipad did not fit).
climatization did not work - it just spilled lot of watter into the room; but what ever temperature you set it barelly was able to hold around 26-28C in a room.

Location: if you like a serenity of noone around and be all the time in hotel; this is a very nice place for relax. But if you would like to try different restaurant (not only due to fact that in hotel one you have like ten choices what to eat) than you need to understand you are in middle of gheto; outside is like after bombing = there is nothing. By the beach you need to go 1-2km to get to ther places...

Beach and sea - sea most of the time due tides is like 500m-1km away, you see only shallow nothing not suitable for swimming. The beach is total mess; lot of trash and seaweed etc. Oh and in sea you have lot of "hedgehogs" so not suitable to go bare foot.

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
M
Marc • couple • fr
9
Excellent séjour si on souhaite du soleil, la mer et du repos de la détente.
Pros:

La verdure, l’accès mer, les piscines , le personnel de la restauration et le calme. La chambre vue mer. Là proximité avec le club de plongée de Dive point( excellent club, je recommande) . La seul activité à faire.

Cons:

La carte est un courte quand tu restes 9 jours sur places. Par contre les activités proposées à part la plongée avec Dive point sont sans intérêt et très coûteuse. Ne surtout pas faire le jardin des épices qui est absolument un attrape touriste sans intérêt.

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
M
Maria Ignacia • couple • cl
6
Esperábamos un poco más por el precio
Pros:

Bellas instalaciones, muy tranquilo. Personal muy amable y atento. Playa exclusiva muy tranquila, agua en general despejada (con algas pero nada tan terrible). Buen desayuno, algunos días buffet y otros a la mesa (en aquel día, opciones limitadas, inicio más tarde también)

Cons:

Regular relación precio-calidad. El restaurante muy caro y regular calidad. Nada de lo que pedimos realmente nos gustó. Como queda bastante aislado de todo, tampoco hay posibilidad de caminar a algún restaurant cercano.
El wifi es malo, en la habitación no teníamos señal.
Cortes de luz muy frecuentes, demoraba en volver.
Agua de la piscina y de las llaves de la habitación (tanto ducha como lavamanos) era salada, por lo que debíamos lavarnos los dientes con el agua para beber.
A pesar de que la playa es “privada”, constantemente se nos acercaba gente a vendernos tours y artesanías de forma muy insistente.
Quizás por el valor hay mejores opciones

2026-03-08 • via Nuitee
L
Leila • solo_traveller • ch
9
Mein Aufenthalt im Sunshine Bay war "amazing"
Pros:

Das Hotel war sehr schön; sehr gute Lage direkt am Strand; grosses und sehr schönes Zimmer, leckeres Frühstück, sehr freundliches Personal, Massage und Pedicure waren super!

Cons:

Trotz Hotelbeschrieb "adults only" hatte es Kinder im Hotel. Dies hat mich nicht weiter gestört. Aber für Personen, die extra ein Hotel ohne Kinder wählen, ev. nicht das Richtige.

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
H
Hildje • solo_traveller • nl
9
We hadden een heel plezierige vakantie in Zanzibar. Het hotel was erg gastvrij.
Pros:

Smaakvol en sfeervol ingericht

Cons:

De prijs van een fles rode wijn. Die van $30 was telkens niet beschikbaar

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
J
jane • couple • ca
10
Excellent!
Pros:

Room, pools, Beach& Staff!

Cons:

Loved it all!

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
N
Nico • couple • de
9
2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
A
Arnaud • family_with_children • be
7
Pros:

L'ambiance générale, emplacement, piscines propres

Cons:

La lenteur du personnel. Même le barman était absent très souvent.
Produits soudainement absents ( coca zéro impossible à avoir après me 2eme jour)

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
B
Besard • couple • gb
7
Great stay, lovely location and staff
Pros:

Great location, great facilities and lovely rooms. Staff super friendly.

Cons:

The breakfast was not very good. The quality of food in general was not the best and could better.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
V
VICTOR • solo_traveller • ro
10
Pros:

Very friendly stuff and delicious food . If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place , Sunset Bay it is a good choice. Special thanks for Serafina and Agnes .

Cons:

Nothing .

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
R
RAFAEL • family_with_children • br
7
Pros:

Quartos amplos. Cama e travesseiros confortáveis. Ar condicionado. Decoração e estrutura bem bacanas.
linda praia, próxima aos passeios de snorkel.

Cons:

A praia tem muito ouriço, eles chegam a disponibilizar uma espécie de crocs para os hospedes entrarem no mar.
O restaurante deles super precário, várias opções do cardápio estão sempre esgotados ( nenhum prato com carne bovina por exemplo).

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
N
Nsovo Candice • couple • za
10
2026-01-26 • via Nuitee